Monday, May 20, 2024

The tale of two blogs - Blogger and Wordpress

Hello, hello!  I am sitting around and healing from my hysterectomy.  I have my 6 week post op visit next week and hope to have some restrictions lifted.  I can’t wait to get back to sewing.  In my downtime I have been trying to get some things organized and cleaned up (paper and digital things).

For those that have known me a long time, I started my blog in 2012 at https://sunnysewing.blogspot.com/ on the google platform.  I blogged there from 2012-2019 and there are a ton of pattern reviews still on my old blog site – for kids, dogs, men, and me.  Google made a bunch of changes in 2019, I got frustrated with them, and decided to move my blog.  Lately, I have been doing some cleaning up over there – fixing broken links and photos and such.  Also, cleaning up my sewing plans each season to be more streamlined like I do them now.

  oldblog 

Since 2019 I’ve been blogging off the Wordpress platform here at https://sunnysewing.com/ new

Its been better than blogger and since I have my own domain name it is so much easier to say hey, I’m at SunnySewing.com rather than I’m at SunnySewing.blogspot.com.  Plus I have much more control over my WordPress blog (except that they have you post in block format and that drives me crazy).  Would It be nice to have my blog all in one spot? yes.  Would it be nice to still blog for free? yes.  Does it make me sad that I lost a bunch of follower friends when I moved? yes. But I just can’t deal with Google constantly changing and dropping things here and there whenever they want.

Along those lines, I’ve been thinking about moving my older (2014-2018) sewing plans over here to my current blog. That way they are all in one spot and can’t be lost when Google changes their minds on things again.  I don’t intend on moving allllllllll my 450 posts over here, just the sewing plans.  Why am I telling you all this?  Because I don’t know what Wordpress will do when I add old posts with old dates.   I’m not sure if my followers/subscribers will get an email for each old post I make, or notified that there is an old post or what.  So I’m just letting you know.

I also have big plans with those old plans that I will share on a separate post soonish.

And of course I do have quite a few new makes to share with you that were sewn before surgery - Some fun new Jalie patterns too!!! So this post is just sort of an FYI that I’m doing some housecleaning and I apologize if you get some random email about a 2014 post lol.  There are only 7 old swaps (sewing with a plan) to move over, 3 already live here (woo hoo!!! They all have been moved over now. you can find all my sewing swaps - plans under the upcoming tab at the top).

Thanks for sticking with me!

Happy Sewing! Kristin

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Jalie 4456 – Chantal Swing tank top and dress

Jalie 4456 – Chantal Swing tank top and dress 

Jalie just released their new pattern collection.  I am so lucky and blessed to be a pattern tester for them. Even though I am a tester, I share only my honest opinion.  And you all know that I am very opinionated. Open-mouthed smile  If I like something I love it, if I don’t like something I’m not afraid to tell you.  But this pattern is a definite love for me. As my body changes and I get older I find my taste in clothes changes too.  This top is perfect for my pear shape.  it is also perfect to hide that annoying middle aged thyroid belly I have gotten.  (photos here were taken before my recent surgery).

  8 Chantel 

My Measurements at the time: Bust 42, Waist 37, Hip 48.5 Size Used: AA for bust, grading to an CC for the hip. Since the side is a nice diagonal line, I just went from the armscye and slanted down to CC for the hip, in a diagonal line. Therefore, it didn’t compromise the look of the top at all. And it was an easy alteration.

  5 chantel 

Fabric Used: 58” wide, 1.75 yards of Green ITY; 50% stretch in height, 80% stretch in width. Poly/Lycra ITY Knit; Fabric Type: 95% Polyester, 5% Lycra

  9 chantel 

Alterations: None except the grading for my pear shape Instructions: Well written, very easy to follow. This is a nice fast sew. I love instant gratification.

  20240310_141655

20240310_141727 

Overall fit and issues:  I like the length of the top. I haven’t had a chance to make the dress yet, but I plan too. I like how it looks and fits with my stomach/hip area – I love a swing tank.

The scoop in back is big! I'm not used to so much back exposure, lol. But it is just fine.

20240310_143051 

Thoughts: It was a fast sew and I love that. I had no issue sewing it up or with the instructions. I was looking for the perfect tank to go with my Peppermint Pocket skirt and this is it!

This tank will definitely be getting a lot of wear this summer. I have plans to sew the dress view also.

No dislikes. 5 star pattern.

Happy Sewing! Kristin